an outstanding effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an outstanding effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to commend someone's hard work or performance in a particular task or project. Example: "The team put in an outstanding effort to complete the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Even so, this was an outstanding effort.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was just an outstanding effort by our defense.

The New York Times - Sports

Starks led the Jazz with an outstanding effort.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was an outstanding effort for a young man to do that.

The Guardian - Sport

"Our bowlers were pretty ordinary but it was an outstanding effort by Jason, he batted brilliantly.

The Guardian - Sport

Gymnastic brilliance allied to deadly precision, an outstanding effort in the circumstances.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The hosts kicked off their effort with an outstanding try for scrum-half Rhodri Williams, who is involved in a selection battle at regional and national level with squad-mate Gareth Davies.

BBC

I do not remember offhand a more outstanding effort by a football team, in all phases.

The New York Times - Sports

And no cast member had a truly outstanding effort, though, there were a few strong moments sprinkled throughout the night.

Huffington Post

Indeed, it appears that USAID is restoring its vaunted biodiversity program in the country, a truly outstanding effort that ran for 25 years prior to shutting down because of the coup.

Huffington Post

For Schiavone, it was a disappointing end to another outstanding effort but the ever-expressive Italian said she would learn from the experience.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "an outstanding effort" with specific details to amplify its impact. For instance, "The team displayed an outstanding effort in overcoming numerous technical challenges, resulting in a groundbreaking solution."

Common error

Avoid using "an outstanding effort" when the outcome was poor despite the attempt. The phrase is best reserved for situations where the execution and dedication were genuinely impressive, even if the final result wasn't perfect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an outstanding effort" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It serves to characterize the noun (effort) as exceptional or remarkable. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is used to commend or recognize noteworthy exertion or dedication.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an outstanding effort" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to commend exceptional work or dedication. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. Primarily found in News & Media, Business and Scientific writing, the phrase serves to highlight commendable contributions. While alternatives such as "a remarkable endeavor" or "a commendable achievement" exist, "an outstanding effort" remains a clear and effective way to acknowledge noteworthy exertion or dedication. Ensure its use is reserved for situations where the process or attempt itself is truly impressive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remarkable endeavor

Replaces "effort" with "endeavor" and "outstanding" with "remarkable", emphasizing the ambitious nature of the undertaking. Semantic similarity: 95

a commendable achievement

Shifts the focus to the positive outcome or accomplishment, using "achievement" instead of "effort". Semantic similarity: 92

a praiseworthy attempt

Highlights the positive qualities of the attempt made, even if the outcome is not fully successful. Semantic similarity: 90

an exceptional undertaking

Replaces "effort" with "undertaking", suggesting a more significant or complex task. Semantic similarity: 88

a stellar performance

Focuses on the quality of the execution or display of skill, rather than the effort itself. Semantic similarity: 85

a magnificent feat

Emphasizes the impressive or extraordinary nature of the accomplishment. Semantic similarity: 82

a notable contribution

Highlights the positive impact or benefit resulting from the effort. Semantic similarity: 80

a terrific display

Focuses on the exhibited action or skill, rather than the energy expended. Semantic similarity: 78

a superior showing

Indicates a performance that is above average or of high quality. Semantic similarity: 75

a first-rate piece of work

Replaces effort with a piece of work, focusing on output quality. Semantic similarity: 72

FAQs

How can I use "an outstanding effort" in a sentence?

You can use "an outstanding effort" to commend someone's work, for example: "The team made "an outstanding effort" to complete the project on time."

What's the difference between "an outstanding effort" and "an excellent result"?

"An outstanding effort" focuses on the quality of the attempt itself, while "an excellent result" emphasizes the positive outcome, regardless of the effort involved.

What can I say instead of "an outstanding effort"?

You can use alternatives like "a remarkable endeavor", "a commendable achievement", or "a praiseworthy attempt depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to praise "an outstanding effort" if the task failed?

Yes, if the effort demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, or perseverance. Acknowledging ""an outstanding effort"" can be valuable even when the result isn't ideal, as it recognizes the commitment and quality of work invested.